A police officer who is accused of collecting money from a complainant in exchange for the return of his firearm that was seized, and who reportedly lied to his senior officers about the transaction, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Charged with eight counts of breaching the corruption prevention act and one count of perverting the course of justice is Anthony Hudson.

The court was told that the complainant had been arrested and charged by officers from the Narcotics Division. It is alleged that the accused approached the complainant and offered to help him to get his firearm back. He, however, told the complainant that he would have to pay.

collected a total of $300,000

It is further alleged that the accused collected a total of $300,000 from the complainant, all in various instalments. The court was told that the accused told his superiors that he was going to conduct a sting operation involving persons who he said were going to be exporting drugs from the island. The court was told, however, that there was no such sting and that in actuality he was going to meet the complainant at Devon House to collect money.

The complainant had, however, made a report to the Anti-Corruption Branch and the accused was arrested and charged when he showed up.

The accused man's lawyer told the court that he has worked in law enforcement for 15 years. He also told the court that the accused would be contesting the allegations.

The matter was set for trial on July 5. The accused was granted bail and is to report to the police three times a week. A curfew order effective between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. was also issued, as well as a stop order and an order to surrender his travel documents.